Gu Fen, aged 40, was previously the head of the Human Resources Department.
She had arrived to interview for the same role.
Upon catching sight of Zhou Yi, she swiftly averted her gaze to conceal her astonishment.
When she raised her eyes again, her expression was calm and composed.
This Mr. Zhou looked like a celebrity—she nearly froze in place.
Thankfully, being a 40-year-old woman with a devoted husband and a harmonious family, she knew better than to let herself become flustered by someone so young—it would have been entirely improper.
After sitting down, she briefly introduced herself, mentioning her previous position and sharing details about her work experience.
Jiang Ruolan could tell at a glance that this woman was highly qualified for the job.
However, there was one concern—she wasn't sure if Mr. Zhou would mind.
And that concern was her age.
While turning 40 remains an unremarkable milestone in most societies, certain regional labor markets harbor undercurrents of harsher survival codes—the 35-year-old threshold has crystallized into a watershed moment for many professionals.
When Gu Fen read about this trend, she found it almost unbelievable.
Most domestic companies preferred hiring younger employees.
For individuals around 40, regardless of gender, securing employment became challenging unless they possessed irreplaceable skills or extensive expertise.
But human resources management could easily be handled by someone in their twenties after just a few years of experience.
Thus, there wasn't much about her current skill set that set her apart.
"May I ask why you left your last company?"
As anticipated, Gu Fen revealed that her departure stemmed from the company deeming her too old and believing that having a child had disrupted her workflow.
By the time she returned from maternity leave, her position had already been filled.
She was fully aware that she was an older mother.
Due to health issues, she hadn't been able to conceive in her twenties.
It wasn't until she underwent IVF treatment that she finally had her child.
Desperate to have a baby, she insisted on giving birth even at the age of 40, despite knowing it might cost her the job.
"Since then, I haven't been able to secure another suitable position because of my age."
Both Gu Fen and Jiang Ruolan turned their attention toward Zhou Yi, curious to see how he would respond.
Zhou Yi simply furrowed his brow.
"Ms. Gu, our company prioritizes ability over age."
"If you were 60, I might hesitate, but you're only 40."
"At 40, you haven't even reached the midpoint of your life—you still hold boundless potential."
"I've reviewed your resume, and I believe you are an outstanding woman."
"And an exceptional mother."
Gu Fen's eyes trembled slightly as she suppressed the urge to choke up.
She offered a warm, genuine smile, both kind and radiant.
"Thank you, Mr. Zhou."
[Jiang Ruolan Affection Level +20]
Watching the scene unfold, Jiang Ruolan softened her gaze.
Without hesitation, Zhou Yi signed Gu Fen on immediately.
Once Gu Fen left, Jiang Ruolan teased him, "Mr. Zhou, what happens if Ms. Gu's performance doesn't meet your expectations?"
Zhou Yi took a sip of coffee and gave a faint smile.
"I don't impose expectations on them."
Jiang Ruolan was momentarily taken aback.
"Don't burden others with unnecessary expectations."
"Your expectations may end up hurting them—and yourself."
"We must embrace ordinary people in this world."
"As long as she performs within her capabilities, that's sufficient."
"Even if she makes small mistakes now and then, who among us doesn't err?"
"There's no need to be overly critical."
[Jiang Ruolan Affection Level +5]
Meanwhile, Gu Fen returned to the meeting room to retrieve her bag, prompting others to inquire about how things went.
She slowly broke into a relaxed smile.
"Mr. Zhou is a very compassionate person. Don't worry."
Wu Ying excitedly grabbed Li Hua's hand and exclaimed, "I told you!"
"My idol is definitely the type who appears cold on the outside but is warm-hearted inside!"
Li Hua also began to feel hopeful.
"If we could really work at Huanyu, that would be incredible."
"The atmosphere here is fantastic, plus there's such a handsome CEO and a stunning assistant…"
When it came time for Wu Ying's interview, her barely settled nerves started racing once more.
But she was also incredibly thrilled—after all, she was a top influencer in Zhou Yi's fan group!
She never missed a single daily check-in!
She kept psyching herself up, and when she reached the door of the CEO's office, she took a deep breath and knocked.
A cool male voice called out from within.
"Come in."